Rocktrospectiva: The Intimate And Vulnerable "Tails" Turns 30

Released on 26 September 1995 "Tails" was the only album by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, released in 1995 by Geffen Records. Earlier versions of the songs "It's Over", "Snow Day", "Do You Sleep?", and "Hurricane" originally appeared on Loeb's previous studio album Purple Tape. Tails peaked at number thirty on the US Billboard 200, in the top ten in New Zealand, and number fifteen on the Canada Top Albums chart.

 

Back in 1994, Lisa Loeb seemingly came out of nowhere, with no record label to her name, to have a hit song off of the Reality Bites soundtrack. Many probably don’t know that Loeb had been working tirelessly to craft her skills in the industry and shape a sound all her own. In a time period of rising female singer/songwriters like Ani Difranco and Sarah McLachlan, Lisa wanted to stand out.

 

While promoting her single "Stay," she would join Juan Patino in the studio to record new songs along with staples from her Liz and Lisa and Purple Tape days. What came out of the process would be a joyous blend of pensive indie-rock and a sweetness that only Loeb can provide. It’s a subtle sweetness, never overpowering but welcoming.

 

The album opened on the slightly more folk driven "It’s Over."  Loeb took you through the depths of turmoil and emotional destruction that have welled up through the end of a relationship. A fantastic evolution comes from “Snow Day.” She opts for a more finger-style guitar intro that completely evokes the falling of snow. The electric guitars add brightness and warmth to the song. Lisa dives into the themes of loneliness and depression on the track.  "Do You Sleep?"  kept the absolutely beautiful fade in guitar loop at the song's beginning. It maintains this dream-like feeling as you open up into this indie rock-driven world. The themes of love lost continue through Loeb’s questioning of how he’s managing since she’s gone. "Hurricane."  was a song that absolutely blooms through the orchestral string section. She takes a more poetic license at the tale of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This woman that appears to be a safe place will only destroy you in the end.  One of the oldest tracks to made the album is "Garden of Delights,"  which can be traced back to her Liz and Lisa days. 

 

The remaining tracks were written specifically for the album. "When All The Stars Where Falling"  takes us in a country western direction. Loeb takes a much softer approach on this track. We seem to be alluding to falling of one’s goals to make them fall back to the surface. One of the best indie rock tracks on the album is the complete earworm "Taffy."  was the punchiest track on the album, Loeb’s electric guitar-filled ditty swells you forward as it kicks off. The title is a nod to stretching the truth like candy machines stretch out taffy.  Each verse sees Lisa bumping her friend til they bruise from all the tall tales this person is apt to tell. "Rose-Colored Times"  continued in on the punchier pseudo-acoustic indie rock vibe that other tracks have fashioned quite well. The story Lisa has written takes us through the rough life of a young girl. This child appears to be very neglected by her mother. "Sandalwood"  is a quiet acoustic track around all the things Loeb loves about this man she’s met. The title alludes to the scent that perfumes his skin. Although clearly a song about lust, Lisa keeps it rather tender. 

 

"Alone" was a sort college rock guitar tones throughout the track. The electric guitars drag in a way that reminds me of the sepia tones of nineties college rock videos. Loeb is grabbling with the loneliness she feels being isolated from the man she’s thinking about, 

 

The album's second, more indie rock-forward song was "Waiting for Wednesday."  The title alludes to the day she’s waiting on to see if she gets her period. She goes through all the emotions of worrying about this pregnancy scare and wondering if her boyfriend will stay or run from her. She weaves back and forth between wanting to confront him on her cowardice and being petrified about the notion of his reaction. Then "Lisa Listen"  was the album's most singer/songwriter-sounding track. The title refers to someone else’s attempt to tell her of her worth. She keeps this fairly ambiguous. The song opens with her unease about herself and those around her, and finally the stand-out track on the album which was the final track, “Stay (I Missed You).” This is the song that jump-started Loeb’s career without being signed to a label. This would also introduced us to not only Lisa’s brand of indie rock but heartfelt songwriting style. "Stay" has been highlighted this argument between this couple that leaves the woman missing him in the end.

 

The album was well received by the public, critics were also favorable to the album, praising than nthat "Loeb has an undeniable gift for creating an air of intimacy and vulnerability, which may well be enough for 'Stay' fans looking for additional doses of contemplative melancholy."

 

Tails Track List:

 

1. It's Over

2. Snow Day

3. Taffy

4. When All The Stars Were Falling

5. Do You Sleep?

6. Hurricane

7. Rose-Colored Times

8. Sandalwood

9. Alone

10. Waiting For Wednesday

11. Lisa Listen

12. Garden Of Delights

13. Stay (I Missed You)